How to remove ballpoint pen ink stains on cotton fabric

Find the right solvents available at home. The most gentle way to remove oil-based ballpoint pen ink stains is to use Ethanp (Ethyl alcohol), which is a common ingredient in many household products. ^[2] Alcohol-based cleaners, hairspray products (choose aerosols, do not use alcohol-free ones) or alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also good options.

• Wet wipes and some brands of baby wipes also help in times of need.

Spread the ink-stained cloth over an absorbent surface. You can use white (bleachable) dry towels or multiple layers of paper towels. That way the ink has room to seep through. Remember to only put a layer of cloth with ink on the towel, otherwise the stain has the risk of seeping into another part of the garment.

Use your chosen alcohol-based solvent. If you’re using rubbing alcohol, dip a cotton ball in the alcohol and dab it on the ink stain. If you’re using hand sanitizer, you can spray a little bit and apply it with a cotton ball or your finger. If you’re using a hairspray, spray it on the fabric until it’s wet. ^[3]

• If using a wet tissue, dab the cloth vigorously, trying to squeeze the solution onto the ink stain. You can also place a wet paper towel over the cloth and block it with a heavy object (such as a book on a plate or food box) for a few minutes.

Wait 3-5 minutes. It may take several minutes for the solvent used to remove the ink stain to dissolve the oil in the ink, depending on the strength of the solvent and how long the stain has been on the fabric.

• Alcohol-based products can dry very quickly, so you may need to dab/spray more onto the stain to keep it moist for the time it takes to dissolve the ink.

Absorb ink stains. Use a clean, dry cloth to absorb the ink stain. You should try to press the ink stain on the garment to penetrate the cloth and the absorbent surface underneath. Most, if not all, ink stains should disappear easily at this point.

Repeat this method if needed. If you can remove most of the ink stains with alcohol-based solvents, you’re on the right track! If the ink stain is still a little, move to a clean part of the towel or place several layers of fresh paper towels underneath. Dip a little more solvent, wait a while and then absorb again.

Use laundry soap to wash ink stains. If the ink stain is only a little, or if you think it’s clean but want to be sure, you can apply laundry detergent to the area to be cleaned. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rub the stain and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

• If the ink stain is completely clean, you can wash it again as usual.
• If the ink stain remains, you need to do the above method again or try using one of the other ink removal methods.

Soak the ink-stained cloth in the milk. Skim milk will work best. You don’t need to soak the whole pants or shirt in the milk, just soak the cloth with ink. Wait at least half an hour, then use a toothbrush, nail brush or soft bristle brush to scrub the ink stain, then rinse with warm water. ^[4]

Treat remaining ink stains with bleach that won’t fade the fabric. Mix a small amount of bleach with a little water to make a paste. Rub the mixture onto the ink stain and let it sit for half an hour to an hour. Then use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the stain and rinse with warm water.

• By this time the ink stain should be completely or at least almost completely clean.

Repeat the above two steps if necessary. If the above methods work but the ink stain is not noticeably clean, you can repeat the two steps above. If that still doesn’t work, rinse the ink-stained clothing thoroughly and try the gel ink or ballpoint pen ink stain removal method.

Wash clothes with normal laundry soap. Double check before putting in the dryer. If the stain is not completely clean, you should continue to work until it is completely clean. The heat of the dryer will deepen the remaining ink stain and turn it into a permanent stain.

Hand wash immediately with regular soap or detergent. Gel ink manufacturers acknowledge that gel inks are difficult to remove, if not impossible, due to the ink’s high pigment concentration. The best way is to remove the ink stains as quickly as possible with an all-purpose cleaner. Apply a small amount of normal laundry soap, stain remover gel or liquid hand soap directly to the ink stain and rinse thoroughly under running water. Then try to absorb any remaining ink by pressing the ink-stained cloth between two layers of absorbent cloth or several layers of paper towels. ^[5]

Treat ink stains with ammonia. Mix 1 teaspoon of household ammonia in warm water. Soak the ink-stained cloth in the ammonia solution for about 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly, then hand wash with normal laundry detergent, scrubbing stains with a soft brush if necessary. ^[6]

• If the stain responds well to this, you can repeat until the stain is completely clean and wash as usual.
• If the stain doesn’t seem clean, you can move on to the next step.
• NEVER mix ammonium with chlorine bleach.

Treat ink stains with a solution of alcohol mixed with vinegar. Mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of vinegar. Place the ink-stained cloth on a clean, dry towel, and then use a rag or spray bottle to saturate the stain with the solution. Let stand for at least 5 minutes to infuse, then sprinkle some table salt over the stain. Wait another 10 minutes and use a soft brush to scrub the stain, then rinse with hot water.

• If this method helps fade the stain but doesn’t remove it all, repeat until the stain is gone.